State Awards Local Aid Grants

The Christie Administration last Friday announced Local Aid grants totaling $78.4 million were released for towns and cities — including Livingston — across the state to improve streets, rehabilitate roadways and complete safety projects.

Under the municipal aid program, Livingston will receive a grant of $240,000 for improvements to Hillside Avenue in the township.

Competition for the grants, under the New Jersey Department of Transportation Local Aid program, resulted in 57 percent of municipalities receiving an award. 

“The Christie Administration strongly supports funding for local aid,” New Jersey DOT Commissioner James Simpson said, “because it understands how important it is for government at all levels to provide safe streets and roads for motorists and pedestrians alike.  These grants advance local projects without placing a burden on local property taxpayers,” he added.  

Including the municipal aid grant awards announced Friday, the Christie administration will award approximately $193.5 million in state-funded grants this year under several different local aid grant categories. An additional $101.2 million in federally funded grants will bring the total value of the localaid grant program to $294.7 million.

“New Jersey’s local aid program provides significant support to municipalities throughout the state,” said William G. Dressel Jr., executive director of the New Jersey League of Municipalities. “Now more than ever, alternate revenues other than property taxes are needed and appreciated by mayors and residents alike.”

Under the municipal aid grant program, each county is apportioned a share of the total funding based on population, the number of local centerline miles and other factors,and municipalities compete for portions of their county’s share.  The New Jersey DOT provides 75 percent of the grant amount when a town awards a contract and the remaining 25 percent upon completion of the project.